Preparing For Your Baby: The Essential Items You’ll Need For A New Arrival

Collaborative post by another author. When you’re preparing for the arrival of a new family member, it can feel like an overwhelming time trying to tick off all the items on your list that you’ll need. From clothing to nursery furniture, we’ve covered some of the most essential items you should invest in to help prepare for your baby. Take a look at the list below to find out more.

A newborn baby and the items some consider essential to buy

There are a number of items that it can be useful to buy before your baby is born

Clothes And Swaddles

Some of the first essentials you can begin buying to prepare for baby are clothing, swaddles and muslin cloths. Buy both newborn and 0-3 month clothing so you’re prepared in advance as your little one will grow surprisingly quickly! Choose a number of the following clothes:

Short-sleeved vests
Long-sleeved vests
Baby onesies for daytime and nighttime
Outfits such as tops with shorts or trousers
Hats
Fleece-lined mittens (in winter)
Anti-scratch mittens
Socks
Swaddling cloths (if you plan to use)

The type of clothing you’ll need for your baby will of course be dependent on the time of year they’re born, so factor this in when planning ahead for clothing purchases. If you have family and friends with children, it’s very possible they will have old baby clothes in storage that they can hand down to you, which is a great way to both save money and help the environment.

Sensory Toys

An often overlooked item to purchase for a new baby is sensory toys. These are toys that help with the development of your baby’s senses such as sight, touch, and smell. Choose toys such as nightlights, rattles, and contrasting colours such as black and white to help encourage curiosity in your baby at a suitable stage in their early development.

Bottles And Sterilizers

It’s an entirely personal choice whether you choose to breastfeed or bottle-feed, or even combine the two. However, if you plan to bottle feed or combination feeding, it’s a good idea to prepare early by choosing the bottle you will use and some good-quality sterilising equipment. There are a number of different bottles and teat types on the market to choose from, as well as a wide range of different sterilising equipment. Do your research before purchasing to find options that work for you both practically and in terms of fitting your budget.

Teething Toys And Medicine

Teething can occur at different stages for different babies, so it’s a good idea to prepare in advance for when the time comes. Choose teething toys that will help to soothe baby’s gums as well as medication options such as Calpol (make sure it’s for the right age group) and teething powders.

Bathing Equipment

To help ensure the bathing process is as relaxed and safe for your new baby as possible, make sure you invest in a good baby bath or support to place inside your bath. Choose soaps and shampoos that are gentle and designed for baby’s sensitive skin, as well as soft cloths or cotton wool for washing. A bath thermometer is also a good investment to help you make sure the bath water is at the right temperature for your baby.

Nursery Furniture

Last but not least, ensure you have the nursery furniture you’ll need for your baby’s bedtime routine. As it’s recommended to keep baby in the same room as you for the first 6 months, consider choosing furniture that can be used both in your own bedroom space and in their nursery room. For example, a feeding chair for nighttime feeds, a cot, and sensory toys to help them sleep.